Southwest offers early boarding pass at gate for $40 per flight

Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines aircraft

Southwest Airlines aircraft (Southwest Airlines)

Arlene SatchellSun Sentinel

Beginning today, Southwest Airlines customers will have the opportunity to purchase one of its earliest boarding positions such as a "A" boarding pass, at the gate for $40 a flight when available, the airline announced Monday.

The new boarding option will only be available for purchase at the gate on the day of travel 45 minutes before the flight departs, Southwest said.

"At Southwest, we have developed boarding options that fit a variety of our customers' needs—from EarlyBird Check-In to our Business Select Fare," said Kevin Krone, Southwest's vice president of marketing, sales, and distribution. "Offering customers the option to improve their boarding position on day of travel is one more way we can offer the travel experience that best fits their needs."

An announcement in the gate area will alert travelers to the availability of the option, which can be purchased with a credit card from the customer service agent. There will be a purchase limit of three boarding positions per customer.

Southwest said it successfully tested this new boarding option in San Diego last month, and feedback has been positive.